UAW negotiations summary

The University of California and UAW represent over 57,000 UC employees across five bargaining units systemwide. UC and UAW began contract negotiations for both graduate student researchers and academic student employees on July 8. These units are known as the BR-BX unit.

UC and UAW also began contract negotiations for a newly formed bargaining unit representing student services and professional advisors on July 8. This unit is known as the SSAP (SV) unit.

BR-BX

• Current contract expires Jan. 1, 2026 
• Negotiations are expected to continue through the end of 2025. 
• The contract covers 33,000 academic student employees (TAs, readers, tutors) and graduate student researchers. 
• Distinct roles: Graduate student researchers (lab work, federally funded) vs. Academic student employees (instructional support, tuition/state funded) 

SSAP

• Bargaining for the newly formed student services and advisory professionals (SSAP) unit began July 8. Because the unit is new, a previous contract does not exist.
• UAW submitted a petition to PERB to represent these employees on Nov. 8, 2024, and the University recognized UAW as the exclusive representative on April 18, 2025.
• 4,875 previously policy-covered employees titles include student services advisor, student life development specialist and admission recruitment specialist.